Schmitz Cargobull: Innovative Trailer Technology for Efficient Transport
Schmitz Cargobull can look back on a history dating back to 1892 - there is no shortage of experience and expertise here. At bauma 2016, we want to see what innovation looks like. Frank Reinartz, Head of Product Management at Schmitz Cargobull AG, shows us some of the new products at the trade fair.
Trailer: Thermal insulation for round steel body
Schmitz Cargobull is of course one of the big names in the trailer business and they advertise that they offer intelligent transport solutions for construction. We can take a look at just how intelligent, because it's hard to believe that smartphones are also finding their way into this sector. Klas Bömecke: Mr. Reinartz, the special thing about this gigantic trailer is actually on the inside where you can't see it at all, isn't it?
Frank Reinartz: Yes, that's right, we are presenting our new thermal insulation for the round steel body here at Bauma. We have made further developments here and are presenting this segmented design of the round steel trough for the first time. Klas Bömecke: So the whole thing is segmented. Of course, if you have any damage, you can simply replace it. Frank Reinartz: That's right, that's one of the advantages for the customer, we have also used a completely new insulating material in this variant, which has the great advantage that it is rubber-like, i.e. flexible, very wear-resistant, so that the customer also has a very long insulating effect on his trough. In addition, the water absorption is very low, which means that the material is very durable - in the tough everyday life of the tipper. Klas Bömecke: It has to withstand a lot, doesn't it!
Frank Reinartz: Absolutely, the danger is always that the insulating material between the body and the side wall cover is worn away, because of course in the tough everyday life when the body is loaded, it bends when it is unloaded, there is torsion, friction occurs and the material is subjected to very high stresses. But the biggest advantage for the customer is actually that we can generate 200 kilos more payload for the customer with this new variant. Klas Bömecke: That's a great thing, of course, but who exactly is your target group that you are addressing with this? Frank Reinartz: We appeal to a very broad spectrum of customers. Many customers still have the challenge of driving asphalt mixes as well as other materials, aggregates, sand and gravel. Thanks to the steel construction of the vehicle, I naturally have a very wide range of applications that I can cover. So it can also be used for heavy demolition or excavation or gravel if necessary. So a lot of rubble can be transported with it. Klas Bömecke: Ok! I've seen another topic over there that I'd like to talk to you about. Shall we go over there for a moment? That caught my eye first and really surprised me. Your trailers are suitable for smartphones. Frank Reinartz: Absolutely. Klas Bömecke: That sounds absurd for the first time.
S.AI Control - Trailer Smart functions from Schmitz Cargobull
Frank Reinartz: This is our S.AI control, a system that we have developed further in recent years. Because for us, this is the future of trailers. It means a considerable increase in comfort for the driver, safety and efficiency for the operator. Klas Bömecke: What can the S.AI control do? Frank Reinartz: It is very versatile. We offer various packages that the customer can put together individually. The focus is primarily on security and comfort in the basic package. The worst thing that can happen to you on a construction site is that the vehicle tips over under unfavorable conditions. We want to prevent this by monitoring the tipping angle, the articulation angle between the tractor unit and the trailer and also the tilt angle of the vehicle and stopping the tipping process in critical situations. The app will look like this. For example, the driver can see on the display how high my body is tipped - what the tipping angle is - how inclined the vehicle is - or what the angle of articulation is between the tractor unit and trailer. The total height is also displayed and in critical situations the tipping process is stopped to prevent the vehicle from tipping over.
Klas Bömecke: On the one hand, it's a very clever thing, of course, that the driver is helped in this way, and on the other hand, I think it's great because it saves you the expensive installation of control devices if I can do everything with my cell phone or tablet. Frank Reinartz: Absolutely, that's one of the great advantages of the system. I don't need to install anything in the tractor unit, I can change the tractor units at will. All the hardware is installed on the trailer. And - let's be honest - nowadays everyone has a smartphone and the smartphone app is free to download for all common operating systems. Klas Bömecke: But it's easy to use and very clear. It's actually easy to understand. Will there be more in the future or do you say we have an app, that's enough for us, we'll update it from time to time. Frank Reinartz: In the conversations we have here every day, I have to be honest and say that we are constantly getting new ideas. I already have lots of new ideas for future developments. We are working on a weighing system that makes use of the trailer components, i.e. air suspension and hydraulic cylinders. Klas Bömecke: It will be interesting to see how the whole thing develops and what we will be talking about here at Bauma in three years' time, because there is still a lot of time until then and a lot can still happen. But for now, thank you for this overview. And I hope you continue to enjoy the trade fair.
